New strategic plans will improve Fairfield City connectivity

Mayor of Fairfield City Frank Carbone has welcomed two draft metropolitan planning strategies which will help to improve connectivity for Fairfield City residents and workers.

The Greater Sydney Commission’s Draft Greater Sydney Region Plan 2017 and Transport for NSW’s Draft Future Transport Strategy 2056 were launched on Sunday and will guide metropolitan Sydney infrastructure planning over the next four decades.

“Council has been working with the Greater Sydney Commission to ensure it has input into these two important plans and I’m excited that the draft documents feature a number of objectives that are in line with our own goals,” Mayor Carbone said.

“Fairfield City is the heart of South West Sydney and that is why Council and I have persistently lobbied the State and Federal Governments for significant infrastructure investment that will benefit Fairfield City residents. I’m glad that we have some early wins for our community.

“Both documents feature investigation plans for a transit corridor between Parramatta and the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek. This is a huge win for our city as the new connection will include a stop at Prairiewood.

“The plan reinforces Council’s investment in this part of our City, including building Aquatopia at the nearby Prairiewood Leisure Centre and redeveloping Fairfield Showground, which could become a major regional centre for events.

“New mass transit connections through our LGA will transform Fairfield City into the gateway to Western Sydney Airport, helping to improve access for our community, grow our local economy and provide opportunities across Australia and overseas.

“Not only will it help residents to access the new airport and get around the region easier, it will also help locals access new jobs around the airport and elsewhere.

“My concern however is that the plans give no indication of when this transit corridor will be approved and operational.

“Council will advocate for new mass transit to be built sooner rather than later to benefit residents, while also advocating that our existing stations require improvements such as additional commuter car parking and lift access.”

Other elements of the Draft Future Transport Strategy 2056 include additional transport improvements to help reduce congestion and freight connections for our industrial areas.

These include:

Improvements to the T2 and T5 train lines (0-10 years for investigation) through existing stations at Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield and Yennora

Additional capacity on the Southern Sydney Freight Line (10-20 years for investigation) at Villawood

A new western Sydney freight line from Yennora to Western Sydney Airport (10-20 years for investigation)

“A proposed freight line from Yennora to Western Sydney Airport will improve our City’s industry, allowing goods produced locally to be transported across the world, while also reducing traffic congestion by taking cars off the road,” Mayor Carbone said.

“I now look forward to hearing more details about how Fairfield City and our town centres will become a focus for growth, new housing, more jobs and further infrastructure when the Western Parklands City District Plan is released later this week.”